Bought in April 2017.
First listen.
Label: Etcetera.
CD 2 from 2.
Recording dates: January 2010.
Recording venue: Laurentiuskerk, Mijnsheerenland, The Netherlands.
Recording engineer: Tom Dunnebier.
Running time: 62:40.
Classical relevance: Essential.
Works performed:
Nicolas Gombert. (c.1495-c.1560)
Missa Beati Omnis.
Anonymous.
Missa Sancta Maria.
Performed by:
Egidius Quartet & College.
I have to get used to the voices, this I admit. They are pure in tone, and generous with dynamics and loudness in a different way to which I am used to. Clear toned, with a clear diction, it needs a careful choosing which volume to use on your equipment. Play it too loud it will likely give you a headache, play it softly you might miss details. So careful adjusting is the name of the game.
The Sopranos are a better proposition as the counter tenors in this ensemble. The men tend to be too loud at times, and too much on the foreground. ( recording choice)These are the only quibbles I have, as far as the recording/performance goes. As with the first disc the choir balance is excellent, and I already hear a marked improvement in the choir members listening better to each other, and so with establishing a more effective dynamic all around.
Gombert's Missa is a masterwork, no doubt about that, the interweaving of the voices is a balm to my ears. The different colours and all the melody lines, are coming together in a perfect way. The anonymous piece is not less in quality, on the contrary it's as good as Gombert's piece, and also boost a polyphonic perfection, that has much on offer. I think I have made a good choice in buying the set.
